14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has posted not one, but three job openings for Soft Goods Engineering Project Manager at its Santa Clara Valley offices in California. According to the job summary, the company might be introducing a new type of Smart Cover with its next iPad.
The Cupertino company already has Smart Covers developed for its existing iPads, so why would it need a “Soft Goods EPM to drive the development process for Smart Covers?”
Well, it’s probably because a redesigned iPad is coming out this year, and that device also needs a Smart Cover for protection (and maybe not only for protection).
The key qualifications for all three EPM positions opened by Apple this week include a minimum 5 years of experience in soft goods product development (know-how in “highly-engineered” soft goods is a plus), and some technical experience too.
In case you’re wondering why a Smart Cover actually needs development, it’s much more than a protective accessory.
It’s specifically engineered to double as a multi-angle stand for your iPad, and it uses magnets to wake and put your iPad to sleep.
“Snap the Smart Cover into place and it wakes up, stands up, and brightens up your iPad or iPad mini,” reads Apple’s description of the product.”
“It magnetically aligns for a perfect fit. It wakes and sleeps your iPad on open and close. It’s a handy stand for reading, watching, and typing. And it’s a way to make your iPad as personal on the outside as it is on the inside.”
As you can see, they’re very proud of this product.
There’s no telling what the next-generation Smart Covers will do, but here’s one idea that might make it the perfect companion for every iPad, big and small: a Smart Cover with solar panels and inductive charging.
